Hidden Figures, a very necessary film about the role of black women computers in the NASA space race

[Update] Film will be released on December 25, 2016!

I am so incredibly excited about the upcoming film, Hidden Figures. Based on the entitled book by Margot Lee Shetterly, this movie tells the untold story of three African American female computers who made significant contributions to the space race of the 1960's and 70's. I first heard about the lead character, Katherine Johnson, when she won the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November of 2015. This is the highest civilian honor awarded, and Mrs. Johnson was chosen based on her calculations and verification work that were critical to landing the first man on the moon.  

Elated after seeing Hidden Figures and meeting Margot Lee Shetterly. After learning of Katherine Johnson’s story, I hung a picture of her on my office wall as motivation, alongside the encouraging notes and scriptures I hung for myself.

All female computer pools at NASA were the lifeblood of the institution in those days, handling complex calculations that today's computers allow us to take for granted. Highlighting the contributions of Mrs. Johnson and others like her resonates loudly with me. As an African American woman in nuclear engineering, knowing of Katherine Johnson gives me a reference point. I can only imagine the level of perseverance, self-control and resilience needed to excel during the Jim Crow era, let alone in a male-dominated technical field. Knowing her story gives me a context for my own, and further proof that black women have a long, distinguished and under-appreciated history in STEM. It is a shame that I did not learn about Katherine Johnson and female computers until 2015. It is a shame because examples like this help to shape possibilities for children. Thankfully, despite this lack of visible and acknowledged role models for black women entering STEM, we decide to persist. This book/movie increases the visibility of a historically unacknowledged group in STEM, the black woman, and bright minds who see it will never be the same.

I cannot wait until January 13th. I might be the first in line :)